A starting point for
your pay conversation.
Benchmarks are a guide, not guaranteed offers. Compare the range with your responsibilities, experience, benefits and current job adverts.
Compare what you will learn and contribute.
Part I roles can offer very different experience. One may focus on design studies and presentations; another may involve drawing packages, model work or project coordination. Use the benchmark alongside the actual tasks, level of supervision and working pattern in the vacancy.
Make the comparison specific.
- Which projects and stages would you support first?
- What drawings, models or presentations would you personally produce?
- Who will review your work and help you develop?
- How are normal hours, overtime arrangements and any study support explained?
- When would your performance and salary be reviewed, and against what expectations?
Bring evidence to a pay discussion.
Choose examples of work you can explain accurately: a drawing package you supported, a model you developed or a presentation you helped prepare. Say what you did, what needed checking and what you learned. University work can demonstrate ability; label it clearly rather than presenting it as practice responsibility.
A useful question is: “Based on the tasks we have discussed and the experience I can bring, where would this role sit within your salary range, and how would that be reviewed?” Compare the answer with hours, travel, mentoring and the rest of the offer.
Use the Part I role guide and Part I portfolio example to prepare examples, then compare current vacancies.
About these figures
Architecture Social salary guide
Benchmarks: October 2026
Reviewed: 9 October 2026
Part I estimates reviewed 9 October 2026 against the real Living Wage, assuming a 37.5-hour week over 52 weeks. Check every hour worked, including overtime. Living Wage Foundation
Compare roles in the salary guide 